Evaluation of the complications after mandibular third molar surgical extraction

Statement of the problem: This study was designed to investigate the complications after surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Patients and Methods: Six Hundreds and ninety eight lower third molars among 450 patients surgically extracted by general dentists from April 2005 to April 2006 were selected for this study. Data were recorded by completing questionnaires regarding post surgical complications based on the documents of patients. Data were coded and statistically analyzed by Chi-Square and T-student tests. Results: Pain was the most common complication (28.5%) and mandibular fracture was a rare complication (0.04%). In relation to the angulation of the teeth, this study showed that horizontally angled molars posed the most complications. Conclusions: Results showed that pain was the most common complication and mandibular fracture was the rarest. Prediction of operative difficulty before the extraction of the lower third molars allows a design of treatment that minimizes the risk of complications.